Healthy Dog Food Plans » Dog Food Tipshttp://ilovedogs.pw
Sat, 01 Dec 2012 06:53:39 +0000en-UShourly1Tips For Buying Dog Foodhttp://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/tips-for-buying-dog-food
http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/tips-for-buying-dog-food#commentsFri, 16 Nov 2012 12:33:45 +0000adminhttp://www.plrblogs.com/dogfood/uncategorized/tips-for-buying-dog-foodIt is not enough for dogs to have a full stomach after every meal. Besides a non-sedentary lifestyle, pets need proper nutrition in order to be healthy, happy and their coats soft and glossy. The cost of dog food and its brand is only important if dogs can read or pay for his meal. The easiest and best way to find out which food is best for man’s best friend is to observe how their response is to the chow they take in.

The following are tips that one should remember in feeding dog any kibbles, nibbles or whatever kinds of treat.

* Chocolate is lethal to dogs.

Specifically the dark chocolate kind. The major components methylxanthine alkaloids and theobromine in a regular chocolate is digested & excreted by humans in as little as 3 hours but the same compounds when ingested by dogs stays inside them for 18 hours. This has been proven to be fatal. Symptoms of chocolate dog poisoning include vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity, diarrhea, followed by seizure, coma, and death.

* Read the label.

Dogs should have a diet rich in meat. When purchasing canned foods, look for chicken, turkey meat, pork meals or other animal by products as these keep the dog’s coat smooth and healthy. Dogs prefer foods which contain high vegetable protein levels because these are easily digestible and are a great source of energy.

* Don’t give a dog a bone!

Contrary to the popular nursery song, feeding bones to dogs is not a good idea. Small soft bones gnawed and eaten by dogs feel like splinters inside their throat causing them to choke. Remember, dogs have short digestive tracts. They also have no saliva amylase, an enzyme that is used to pre-digest starch.

* Dog food supplements are unnecessary…only if one is sure that their dog receives a regular intake of complete and balanced food nutrients. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, corn, oatmeal, wheat. However, a highly specialized nutrition is only necessary if dogs do not get enough physical activity or are currently undergoing a stressful routine change.

* Raw fish and eggs are a no-no.

Consistent consumption of raw eggs make a dog’s skin breakout. In canine terms – since eggs diminish the biotin available in their body  dermatitis and hair loss are its usual effects. Raw fish meanwhile results in thiamine-deficiency in a dog. Its effects usually are loss of appetite, abnormal posture, weakness and in some cases death.

]]>http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/tips-for-buying-dog-food/feed0How To Pick The Right Dog Foodhttp://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/how-to-pick-the-right-dog-food
http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/how-to-pick-the-right-dog-food#commentsTue, 30 Oct 2012 12:18:03 +0000adminhttp://www.plrblogs.com/dogfood/uncategorized/how-to-pick-the-right-dog-foodAs the pet industry becomes larger, so do the pet owner’s choices in dog food. So, how do you know if the dog food you choose is right for your pet?

If you are like most dog owners, your goal is to keep your pet healthy while satisfying his appetite. But just like no two dogs are the same, there is no such thing as an ideal canine diet. Instead, owners should look take a studied look at their pets. Things such as species, activity level, age, and whether the dog is undergoing any physiological changes such as growth, pregnancy, or nursing should all be considered when deciding upon dog food.

Consider Nutrients

However, there are some basic rules of thumb. First of all, pick a high-quality dog food that is rich in nutrients, including energy, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and water. Pay particular attention to the protein ratio. Typically, dog food with a 20 to 30 percent protein content is ideal.

To ensure your dog’s health, choose a dog food that is easily digestible. A combination of wet and dry dog food will promote healthy teeth and gums. And while it is difficult to turn down a cute and hungry dog, be wary of overfeeding. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which can cause a number of health problems in your dog. How do you know if you’ve been overfeeding your dog? Just try to feel his ribs. If you can’t feel them, it’s time to cut back a bit!

If your dog has special health or dietary issues you will want to make sure that the dog food meets your pet’s special needs. Check with your veterinarian if you have questions. Or look online for pet retailers who carry dog food. Many of their sites contain excellent articles and other information that can help you choose the right dog food for your pet.

High-Quality Pet Food

Popular with Owners

One of today’s popular trends is an increase in high-quality pet foods. As pets replace children and dogs become a part of the family, people who pamper their pooches tend to do so at mealtime as well. Just about every major brand of dog food is coming out with a high-end line, and there are also many smaller companies devoted to the manufacture of high-end, fresh, and healthy dog food. These meals are not only nutritionally balanced, they are delicious and nice to look at. Some dog foods are incorporating human-grade ingredients such as pasta, rice, vegetables, tuna fish, and peanut butter. Others are all-natural or organic.

Even the packaging on high-end dog food is different.

Pouring dry kibble out of the bag just won’t do anymore! Many high-end dog foods are now packaged in see-through deli containers. These are attractive but also functional. Owners of small dogs who can’t eat the entire 10 oz. portion at once can reseal the container to keep the contents fresh.

]]>http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/how-to-pick-the-right-dog-food/feed0Dogs Need Good Food Too, Your Guide To Your Dog’s Diethttp://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/dogs-need-good-food-too-your-guide-to-your-dogs-diet
http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/dogs-need-good-food-too-your-guide-to-your-dogs-diet#commentsSat, 27 Oct 2012 07:14:44 +0000adminhttp://www.plrblogs.com/dogfood/uncategorized/dogs-need-good-food-too-your-guide-to-your-dogs-dietDogs’ nutritional needs may differ from ours. What we deem as healthy for us might not sufficient or appropriate for them. To give your dog the best nutrition available you will have to understand their specific needs and how to address them. After all, taking care of man’s best friend does take a little preparation and know-how.

Your dog needs the essential nutrients to grow, go, and glow. If your dog does not receive proper nutrients it may result in poor health, stunted growth, lethargy and shortened lifespan.

Dogs like most animal life forms need the six basic nutrients for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients serve different functions in sustaining the health and well-being of your dog.

This guide will elaborate on dogs’ need of these nutrients.

1. Proteins: the building blocks of your dog’s health
Proteins are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can produce some of these chemicals in their own bodies. The rest has to be supplied through food. The best sources of these amino acids are meat and its byproducts. Dogs can extract proteins from these sources a lot easier than it would with plant sources.

Choose feeds that have an adequate amount of protein in them to help your puppies and working dogs grow. Too much of this, however, may cause kidney problems and has been known to cause temperament problems.

2. Fats: delivering other nutrients to the body
Fat sound like a bad word  everyone tries to avoid it because it causes tons of health problems. Dogs, however, just like man, also have a need for these nutrients  albeit in a moderate amount.

The right amount of fat is needed to promote good skin health, and to transport fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential to kidney function and reproductive health. They make food tastier too. Too much fat will result in obesity and lethargy.

3. Carbohydrates: doggie fuel
Fifty percent of your dog’s diet should consist of carbohydrates since they need it for their energy. Corn is one of the more popular sources of this nutrient, along with soybeans. If this source is clean and of good nutritional quality then that should be fine as well.

4. Vitamins and Minerals: keeping your dog healthy
It would have been easier if your dog only had to splurge on vitamins and minerals to get optimal health. However, the opposite is true. Your dog needs an exact amount of vitamins and minerals to be healthy. Although, your dog may receive these nutrients from food, vitamin supplements for your dogs could be helpful. Specially formulated commercial feeds also make it easier for dog owners to give their dogs good nutrition.

]]>http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/dogs-need-good-food-too-your-guide-to-your-dogs-diet/feed0Buying Premium Dog Food 101http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/buying-premium-dog-food-101
http://ilovedogs.pw/dog-food-tips/buying-premium-dog-food-101#commentsSat, 20 Oct 2012 02:25:31 +0000adminhttp://www.plrblogs.com/dogfood/uncategorized/buying-premium-dog-food-101So you are wondering if the dog food you are feeding is really good for your canine. Maybe you heard that your particular brand of dog food is bad for your dog.

Here I will try to explain what to look for as well as the ingredients and how they measure up to what you are currently feeding. Please keep in mind dog food is essential to their health as for most it is their main source of nutrition.

Some easy tips are:

Do not buy dog food that contains BHT or BHA, they are chemical preservatives and could be harmful. Do not buy food that has by-products in it; these are often left over from is given to the human market. That means by-products could be feet, intestines, necks etc.

Grains that are often difficult to digest like corn, wheat, gluten and soy, are often used as a protein source instead of meat.  This is not healthy and in addition can cause allergies.

Now we get into the fun part!

The first 5 ingredients play a significant role in the overall nutritional make up of a dog food

What are the protein sources? I believe the primary source should come from quality animal protein, not vegetable protein or grain. Foods that list 2 or more grains in the first 5 ingredients may have more vegetable protein than animal protein.

What about grains? Two or more grains listed in the first 5 ingredients means your food may have more vegetable protein than animal protein. Grains such as soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten can be difficult to digest, which means less nutrition and more clean up.

Are there by-products? Some manufacturers consider by-products inferior sources of protein and, depending on the source, they can be difficult to digest.

What are the fat sources? Some fats are better than others. We believe the primary fat source in dog food should be animal based because animal fats contain a profile of fatty acids that are easily metabolized and thus are generally more available to the body.

Look for an identifiable animal protein such as “chicken meal” rather a generic term; such as, “poultry meal,” which can contain any fowl (turkey, chicken, geese, etc.).

Some manufacturers use chicken in their pet foods; however, look for Chicken “Meal” Why? Because chicken meat contains a certain amount of moisture in the flesh; however, chicken “meal” is a concentrated source of chicken protein because most of the water has been removed. Therefore, it only stands to reason that you get a greater “protein content” in 1 pound of chicken meal versus 1 pound of chicken.

Make sure your dog food has bacteria cultures (acidophilus) for easy digestion. Look for vegetables and fiber for anti-oxidants protection, vitamins and minerals.